NEPA Events and Picnics

On this page I will list all the picnics, bazaars, festivals, & fairs that I attended during the 2022 picnic season. Also some comments about the event, and my rating of the event.

Due to the issue with my left foot, I will most likely only be visiting limited picnics this season. Feel free to e mail your ratings of any picnics you attend and I will publish them.

Scrantastic Spectacular

Downtown Scranton

July 3, 2022

Rating (Barely) 3 *** out of 5*

Here is the good, the bad, the eeh, and the downright stupid at the Scrantastic Spectacular. First the good. The crowds weren't as big as in other years. Makes easier to get around since I walk with a cane. The lines at the vendors were much smaller and moving quicker. It seemed to me there were less vendors. There was plenty of  center seating at the Philharmonic. The fireworks were decent but I seen better. The soundtrack during the fireworks was excellent. Now the eeh. The Philharmonic orchestra seemed much smaller this year. They didn't do all the patriotic favorites that they usually do. They didn't have a singer. Last time they had an excellent singer who sang God Bless America. They didn't do the presentation of colors of the various branches of the military like other years. Yes the Philharmonic are very talented musicians but this years performance was rather boring. Now the bad. I got jipped by the idiots at ABM parking again at their Linden Street garage. Instead of having human attendants they have an idiotic automated system which barely works right. After waiting 20 minutes in line in the vestibule to get to the one pay kiosk. I paid with my debit card. It showed $6.00 paid. Another 20 plus minutes to get out of the garage. Went to the left gate on Linden St. Gate wouldn't open. Said the ticket wasn't paid. I had just paid it 20 minutes earlier. Had to put my debit card in for the gate to open. Charged the $6.00 TWICE. When the idiots from ABM parking come in Tuesday, there is a "nice" message on three of their extensions demanding a refund. This company is incompetent. There were never problems when the city of Scranton ran the garages. Finally the downright stupid. Last year at La Festa the idiot propaganda trucks by a Scranton "businessman" were nowhere to be seen. Yeah!! This year lo and behold at the corner of North Washington and Biden there was the idiot propaganda truck by the Scranton "businessman". When I go to a festival in Scranton. I go to enjoy the music, food, fireworks, and friends. I DO NOT want to see partison propaganda by a Scranton "businessman" who is still crying like a baby almost weekly at the Scranton City Council meetings about changing the name of Spruce St. to Biden St. I sent an e mail to city council to complain about the offensive truck.

 Elmhurst Roaring Brook Fire Company

Off Rte 435

Elmhurst, PA

June 24, 2022

Rating 5 ***** out of 5 *

As expected this picnic was excellent. Definately one of the best of the season. The food was good and reasonably priced.The potato pancakes were especially good this year and the line moved fast. The basket raffle was huge. The parking was close by. The staff was friendly and helpful. The Sperazza band was excellent as expected. Plenty of seating and places to eat your food. Even the very annoying siren at the hot wings stand was tolerable. I will definately be back next year.

Mary Mother of God Annual Block Party

West Market Street North Scranton

June 17 & 18, 2022

Rating 5 ***** out of 5 *

This is without a doubt one of the best of the season. It is the first year back with a full block party after having a drive thru event the last two years. It is great not just because it is my parish, but because the event is done right. On Friday the tribute to veterans was awesome. Picture Perfect is the best party band in all of NEPA and played music for everyone. The food was great and reasonably priced. The staff was friendly and helpful. There was a line at the potato pancakes but it is expected because they are great. There were over 71 theme baskets. The beer was ice cold. There were games and fun for both children and events. I want to thank everyone who stopped by at my table to play a hand or two of Irish Poker. On Saturday Jim Cerminaro sang many classic favorites and even a few tunes in Italian. The Chatter played Top 40 hits from today and the past and made for an enjoyable night for all. The potato pancakes sold out. If you missed this picnic you missed a great time at one of the best of the season. Coming this fall the parish will be having a night at the races on Saturday September 24 at the parish hall. Check it out.

 Jefferson Township Carnival on the Mountain

Mt. Cobb, PA

June 15, 2022

Rating 3 *** out of 5 *

This is a nice picnic. But not a very exciting picnic. The food was very good and reasonably priced. The basket raffle was big. They had the usual rides for the children, but it seemed like there were less rides this year. They did not have a beer tent this year which is ok by me because I don't like to drink and drive. The parking lot wasn't muddy this year. The biggest thing I missed was the band. Because they usually get good bands. They had music playing but it is not the same as a band. Even without the band it was an enjoyable way to spend a few hours on a Wednesday. Possibly the crowd will be bigger on the weekend.

 Lackawanna County Heritage Fair

Montage Mountain Scranton, PA

June 4, 2022

Rating 2 ** out of 5 *

This was the first time that I attended this event. First impression. It took over 1 hour and 25 minutes to get from my home in Green Ridge to the mountain. Second impression. The police directing traffic on Montage Mountain Road had no clue what they were doing. Third impression the final road to the parking lot is very narrow and dangerous. The Hcp. accessible parking was close to the gate, first good thing. I was impressed with the security. They wand you and check your bags. With all the gun nuts out there I really liked that and felt safe. The food consisted of several vendors and a few food trucks. At the hotdog stand $1.00 hotdogs. I thought cool. I ordered two, cold and hard. The bottle of water was warm as piss. Tried the ice cream stand, at four in the afternoon sold out of chocolate, vanilla, and several other popular flavors. The pizza stand had a huge line with only one employee in the stand. I would have liked to try it. The layout was very hodge podge and unorganized. Most of the food vendors were understaffed and clueless with huge lines. The entertainment. The Donnybrook Irish band were good for their type of music. Next up was Room 108. I wish I had a gas mask because they stunk. When we were leaving there was over 200 people waiting in line to get in and they were putting people in the lower parking lot and making them walk up the mountain. I feel sorry for them. I am being very generous giving this poor excuse for a fair a two star rating. The only reason they are getting a two star rating is the $10 admission included parking, rides, and the water park. Which is a bargain if you have children. I don't ride or water park. Will try again next year and hopefully they will make several changes to make this like some of the "better" more established fairs.

 OOOOOH, AAAAAAH, OOOOOH